US Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Michael J. Murphy visited the City of Mostar, where he met with City Council President Salem Marić and Mostar Mayor Mario Kordić. 

 

The officials discussed the positive steps that the City of Mostar and the City Council have taken so far, the Press Service of the Mostar City Council announced.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that positive and encouraging processes are taking place in Mostar, which are focused on the quality of life of citizens, and on that occasion the US Embassy's full commitment to support the development and progress of the City of Mostar was confirmed.

He met with City Council President Salem Marić and Mostar Mayor Mario Kordić

US Ambassador to BiH Murphy visits the City of Mostar

There are currently 206 Ukrainian refugees in Međugorje, 132 of whom are children, all of whom are well and provided with psycho-social support. 

 

- They are accommodated in 18 locations, mostly boarding houses. There are 206 of them in total, 132 children, four are male drivers, while the rest are women. Relatively all are well and healthy. We take care of them and they have complete health care - said the Secretary of the Red Cross Čitluk Andrija Stojić.
He said that at the very beginning of the arrival of Ukrainian refugees, one refugee tested positive for Covid, but that the period of isolation had passed, so that there are no infected people now.
He adds that the Red Cross regularly meets all needs, and has organized workshops for psycho-social support.
- Red Cross employees are ready to provide them with psycho-social support at any given moment. So in this field, we are fully prepared to respond to any challenges. So far there are no difficulties and everything is stable. The Red Cross is fully trying to meet its regular obligations - he stressed.
Stojić says that there are also announced arrivals, and whether they will be realized remains to be seen.

132 of them are children

They are all provided with psycho-social support

There are 206 Ukrainian refugees in Međugorje, mostly children

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sifet Podžić today visited the National Military Academy of Qatar, which is considered one of the most modern in that region, and was hosted by Qatari Major General Saeed Hamad Al Nuaimi. 

 

They discussed the possibilities of establishing mutual cooperation and strengthening ties in the defense sector, bearing in mind that Qatar is a strategic partner of NATO.
It was stated that there is a strong mutual will and common interest in such cooperation.
Minister Podžić is on an official visit to Qatar, as part of a tour of the International Naval Exhibition and a conference in Doha (DIMDEX 2022), the capital of Qatar, announced the BiH Ministry of Defense.

He was hosted by Qatari Major General Saeed Hamad Al Nuaimi

They discussed the possibilities of establishing mutual cooperation and strengthening ties in the defense sector

BiH Defense Minister Sifet Podžić visits National Military Academy of Qatar

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović sent a telegram of condolences over the death of Madeleine Albright. 

- I received the news of the death of former Secretary of State of the United States Madeleine Albright with sadness. Ms. Albright was a proven friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a time when our country was having the hardest time.
We will never forget her fight for justice and the truth about the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will never forget her words "I am Sarajka", uttered in besieged Sarajevo, as well as her struggle to find out the truth about the genocide in Srebrenica.
With her death, our country was left without a great friend, and the United States without an exceptional diplomat. I sincerely sympathize with the family and friends of Ms. Albright - it is stated in the telegram of condolences.

Ms. Albright was a proven friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a time when our country was having the hardest time, he pointed out

Džaferović sends telegram of condolence over the death of Madeleine Albright

The President of the Alliance for a Better Future of BiH (Savez za bolju budućnost SBB), Fahrudin Radončić, spoke on the occasion of the death of Madeleine Albright, the first woman Secretary of State of the United States of America and a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- I was deeply saddened by the news of Madeleine Albright's death. Bosnia and Herzegovina and our people will remember her as a great friend of our homeland.
During the aggression, when it was the most difficult for us as a nation and a state, then US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had exceptional merits in the fight for the defense of Sarajevo and BiH.
Through her many years of impressive political and diplomatic career, Albright has left an immeasurably positive mark on the world, as she has always been a sincere fighter for democracy and the civilizational values of our time.
With death of Madeleine Albright, we lost a great friend. I sympathize with her family in these difficult times. Bosnia and Herzegovina will always remember her - said Radončić.

Through her many years of impressive political and diplomatic career, Albright has left an immeasurably positive mark in the world, said Radončić

Fahrudin Radončić and Madeleine Albright

Radončić: Madeleine Albright had exceptional merits in the fight for the defense of Sarajevo and BiH, we lost a great friend

After yesterday's testimony in the Prosecutor's Office of BiH as a suspect in the "Pavlović Bank" affair, the member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, held a press conference in East Sarajevo.
At the press conference, he shamefully insulted the journalists of "Dnevni avaz" and BN Television, as well as several high-ranking officials, including the British Ambassador Matthew Field and Gabriel Escobar, the US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans.

- The most recent European Commission country report on Bosnia and Herzegovina underlined serious concerns about political pressure, intimidation and threats against journalists, particularly women. There have been a number of documented cases where high-level politicians have resorted to public attacks and disparaging remarks against journalists, analysts and media workers. The authorities continue to downplay the issue and there is no data collection by public institutions on threats and attacks against journalists and media workers.

Any attack on journalists is an attack on core democratic values. Politicians in BiH must refrain from using their power and influence to intimidate journalists and uphold BiH’s domestic and international obligations to protect freedom of speech – it was said from the Delegation EU.

<h2>Abuse of office and money laundering</h2>

We remind you that a member of the Presidency of BiH and the leader of the SNSD arrived at the building of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH in Sarajevo just after 10 AM yesterday, where he gave a statement on the subject of buying a villa in Dedinje in Belgrade.
This time as well, Dodik manifested his vulgarity by showing his "middle finger" from the car while the journalists were filming him. He repeated the same thing when he left the Prosecutor's Office.
Dodik paid 750,000 euros for the villa 15 years ago. When this affair was opened, he claimed that he paid for the disputed property with money from a loan he took out at Pavlović Bank.
The Prosecutor's Office of BiH officially suspects him of abuse of office and money laundering.

Politicians in BiH must refrain from using their power and influence to intimidate journalists, they stated

EU Delegation: BiH politicians must protect freedom of speech

EU Delegation for "Avaz": An attack on journalists is an attack on core democratic values

Yesterday, the member of the Presidency of BiH, Milorad Dodik, gave a statement in the Prosecutor's Office of BiH as a suspect in the "Pavlović Bank" affair. Afterwards, Dodik held a press conference in East Sarajevo, at which he shamefully insulted „Dnevni avaz“ and BN Television journalists, as well as several high-ranking officials, including Gabriel Escobar, the US special envoy for the Western Balkans.
Regarding Dodik's statements, the State Department gave their official position for the "Avaz" portal.
-The United States has designated Milorad Dodik for his ongoing corrupt activities and continued threats to the stability and territorial integrity of BiH. His latest inflammatory statements do not merit further comment – it was said from State Department. 
We remind you that Dodik stated at the press conference, among other things, that Escobar was lying.
- Take Escobar, who constantly talks about how I went to Russia to hide my corruption. I really thought until that moment that Americans are omnipotent, that they know everything, now I saw that they have no idea. A complete lie. Imagine an envoy of the United States of America lying. How it undermines the dignity of the United States. And that Escobar is lying as soon as he starts speaking. As soon as he says something about this situation here, he lies.
Well, now, of course, he will strengthen the sanctions, what else can those who are unfit to represent the United States do - Dodik said yesterday.

He continuously threatens the stability and territorial integrity of BiH, the State Department said

State Department: His latest inflammatory statements do not merit further comment

State Department for "Avaz": USA designated Dodik for corruption and threats to the stability of BiH, his statements are inflammatory

Being a guest on the show BHT1 Live on state television, the president of SBB, Fahrudin Radončić, answered questions related to the failed negotiations in Sarajevo. On that occasion, the host also asked him about Milorad Dodik's statements at today's address in East Sarajevo.
- He also mentioned me in a negative context. I do not represent a problem for Mr. Dodik, and he has already mentioned me two or three times. BN television is not a problem, nor is Avaz. The problem is the real, legal situation in the Prosecutor's Office of BiH. Whether he will be indicted or not, should not be judged by the media, nor are the media the ones who should write indictments, the Prosecutor's Office will do it or not.
He is nervous for a reason, but I think, not only because of his corruption affair, where everyone's presumption of innocence should be respected, it does not have to end in an indictment. His nervousness is that his mentor Putin, that is, Russia, received much more severe economic blows and something called a lack of perspective than he imagined in his dream. He is probably nervous due to the fact that he is just realizing what would happen to him, a small Republic of Srpska and a small local politician, if he started secession.
These are the causes of Dodik's great nervousness and he must give up his separatism and return to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Prosecutor's Office and the judiciary - you must be legalists even when it is difficult for you, I went through it – they must do their job independently and that should not be confused with the affairs of the journalistic community and the right of the media to write about everything - said Fahrudin Radončić.

The presumption of everyone's innocence should be respected, Dodik is nervous because he saw his mentors Putin and Russia break under sanctions, Radončić said

Video / Radončić answered Dodik: His problem is not me and the journalists, we are not raising the indictments, but the prosecutors

The Head of the European Union Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Johann Sattler, visited refugees from Ukraine in Međugorje on Tuesday.

Accompanied by his associates, the Secretary of the Red Cross Čitluk Andrija Stojić and Red Cross volunteers, Ambassador Sattler visited a number of refugees accommodated in Međugorje and handed them packages with food for children, diapers, toys and other gifts.
The gifts delighted the children from Ukraine, and after the visit, Ambassador Sattler thanked the owners who donated their facilities to accommodate refugees from Ukraine and praised the activities of the Red Cross to help the refugees.
Međugorje was also visited today by the Turkish Red Crescent, whose representatives also provided support and assistance to refugees from Ukraine.
The Turkish Red Crescent provided a certain amount of meat and food items during today's visit.

He handed them packages with food for children, diapers, toys and other gifts

Sattler visits refugees from Ukraine accommodated in Međugorje

Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec expressed disappointment today that BiH political leaders did not reach an agreement on necessary amendments to the Election Law, saying that the OSCE will continue to work actively in the field of electoral reform, as they are committed to the provisions concerning the integrity of the electoral process in BiH. - Based on the invitation of the state of BiH, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights monitored the conduct of the elections on four occasions and made a report and pointed out various shortcomings and gave concrete recommendations for eliminating these shortcomings from the election process. As an OSCE member state, Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with all other states, is committed to respecting the democratic rights of its citizens and one of those rights is the obligation of BiH to organize democratic elections at regular intervals - said Kavalec during her visit to Tuzla.
She expressed the OSCE's concern over the disturbance of citizens' trust in the election process, and for that reason, she said, had repeatedly called for the necessary amendments to strengthen the integrity and transparency of the election process.
According to her, at the moment, the most important thing is for the Council of Ministers of BiH to make the necessary decisions on the allocation of funds needed for the organization of the elections in October 2022.
- We will not give up. We will continue to work on that. I must say that we are looking forward to the elections in October, which should be organized in accordance with the international obligations of this country as an OSCE member state - concluded Ambassador Kavalec.

Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec

Kavalec: We are looking forward to the elections in BiH in October

President of the Alliance for a Better Future Fahrudin Radončić said after negotiations on the Election Law that general elections should be held.
He emphasized that this is a bad day for the Federation of BiH, and great joy for the president of SNSD, Milorad Dodik.
- The consequences of the failed negotiations will be felt in two or six months, when the elections are held, but that does not mean that someone should be afraid of war or any military escalation, but it is about the fact that political tensions will certainly increase, and they have been increased anyway - Radončić emphasized.
He explained that great progress has been made in approximating positions on stopping the blockade in the Federation of BiH and the functioning of the House of Peoples, as well as on several other very important issues, but that there is no final agreement.

He emphasized that this is a bad day for the Federation of BiH, and great joy for the president of SNSD, Milorad Dodik

Radončić: After negotiations on the Election Law that general elections should be held

Radončić: Elections should be held

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić and members of the Presidency of BiH Šefik Džaferović and Milorad Dodik received today Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

The members of the Presidency of BiH emphasized that the attitudes of Austrian leaders who support the accelerated path of the Western Balkan countries, and thus BiH, towards membership in the European Union, are a special encouragement for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The meeting said it was crucial that EU enlargement remained high on the agenda despite other challenges facing the EU, noting that a clear European perspective was key to the security and stability of the entire Western Balkans region.
The members of the Presidency of BiH thanked the Republic of Austria for the overall assistance and support it has provided to Bosnia and Herzegovina so far at the bilateral and multilateral level. They pointed out that BiH and the Republic of Austria are two friendly countries, among which there are no open issues.
Chancellor Nehammer said that BiH and other countries of the Western Balkans should continue on the path of ensuring peace and stability in the region, in which the Republic of Austria will provide them with wholehearted assistance.
He pointed out that the Republic of Austria is ready to be a bridge towards faster accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU. He expressed readiness for him personally, as well as his country, to share experiences and help in mutual dialogue in solving internal problems.
The members of the Presidency of BiH emphasized the role of the Republic of Austria in the field of internal stability and security of BiH through the participation of its contingent in the EUFOR-ALTHEA Mission.
Chancellor Nehammer praised the very good cooperation between BiH and the Republic of Austria in the fight against terrorism, organized crime and illegal migration, the BiH Presidency said.

Chancellor Nehammer said that BiH and other countries of the Western Balkans should continue on the path of ensuring peace and stability in the region, in which the Republic of Austria will provide them with wholehearted assistance

Komšić, Nehammer, Džaferović and Dodik

BiH Presidency with Nehammer: EU enlargement high on the agenda despite other challenges

<a href="https://avaz.ba/tag/107797/sbb-en?stranica=1">After the Presidency of the Alliance for a Better Future (Savez za bolju budućnost SBB)</a> expelled two members of the Tuzla Canton Assembly at yesterday's session for initiating and lobbying for the adoption of laws that caused political damage to SBB, and for nepotism and clientelism, "Dnevni avaz" reveals the content of the document, ie the report of the Working Group on the established factual situation on personnel deviations in the Tuzla Canton, on the basis of which Nedžad Hamzić and Lejla Vuković were excluded.

The document of the Working Group confirmed the incredible level of nepotism and clientelism, which was carried out for years by MPs with a small circle of their associates, working behind the back of SBB membership in Tuzla Canton and all without the knowledge of the SBB Headquarters.

Among other things, according to the report, it was confirmed that MP Nedžad Hamzić hired his son and wife into state-owned companies,

for whose employment people from SBB have already been tried once, and currently the indictment against three members of the commission has been confirmed, and again for the employment of Hamzić's wife.

Also, as far as MP Vuković is concerned, as it is written in the document, the Working Group determined that she has secured and lobbied for a permanent job in the Health Insurance Institute of Tuzla Canton, as long as she is in the mandate of MP.

In the meantime, the working group received more compromising information and it will be submitted to the competent Prosecutor's Office.

Hamzić and Vuković were expelled from the Alliance for a Better Future yesterday because the incredible level of nepotism and clientelism was confirmed, which they conducted personally for years with a small circle of their associates

Lejla Vuković and Nedžad Hamzić: Excluded from SBB

See what the report of the Working Group on nepotism of Nedžad Hamzić and Lejla Vuković contains

Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Bosnia and Herzegovina Daniel Hunn met today with the President and members of the BiH Central Election Commission to discuss preparations for and the organization of general elections in BiH scheduled for October. 

They also discussed the activities carried out by the BiH Central Election Commission with the aim of strengthening the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the election process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the contribution of the BiH Central Election Commission in reforming BiH election legislation, the CEC BiH Press Service said.

They also discussed the activities carried out by the BiH Central Election Commission with the aim of strengthening the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the election process in BiH

Ambassador Hunn and CEC members on preparation and organization of general elections in BiH

The Russian government issued on Monday a list of countries "taking unfriendly actions against Russia, Russian companies, and citizens," referring to the economic sanctions introduced amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to a decree published on the government's website, the list includes Albania, Andorra, Australia, Great Britain, including Jersey, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Gibraltar, EU member states, Iceland, Canada, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, US, Taiwan, Ukraine, Montenegro, Switzerland, and Japan.
The government allowed Russian citizens and companies, the state itself, its regions and municipalities that have obligations in foreign currency to foreign creditors from the list of unfriendly countries to pay back their debts in rubles.
For that, a debtor may ask a Russian bank to create a special ruble account "C" in the name of a foreign creditor and transfer payments to it in ruble equivalent at the exchange rate of the central bank on the day of payment.
The new order is temporary and is valid to payments exceeding 10 million rubles (around $72,202).
Russia's war on Ukraine has been met with outrage from the international community, with the European Union, UK, and US, among others, imposing a range of economic sanctions on Moscow.
At least 364 civilians have been killed and 759 others injured in Ukraine since Russia launched a war against the Eastern European country on Feb. 24, according to UN figures, with the real toll feared to be higher.
More than 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, according to the UN refugee agency.

Russian government allows paying back in rubles debts borrowed in foreign currency from listed countries

According to a decree published on the government's website, the list includes Albania and Montenegro

Russia issues list of countries, considering their "unfriendly actions"

The hearing of the UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) on "allegations of genocide" brought against Russia under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide started in The Hague, according to the UN on Monday. 

- In The Hague, at 10:00 a.m. (0900GMT), the International Court of Justice is scheduled to hold a hearing on Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) - said the notice by the UN Information Service in Geneva.
Russia boycotted hearings at the UN's highest court on Monday during which Kyiv is seeking an emergency order to halt hostilities, arguing that Moscow has falsely applied genocide law in justifying its war on Ukraine.

<h2>The hearing will continue on Tuesday</h2>

Meanwhile, at least 39 countries that are parties to Rome Statute, which established the court in 1998, had petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to begin an investigation.

- I expressed my increasing concern, echoing those of world leaders and citizens of the world alike, over the events unfolding in Ukraine - ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan said on Feb. 28.
The hearing at the ICC, considered a rapid development, is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
Last week, in the UN Human Rights Council, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova drew a standing ovation after she pleaded with members to support a move to set up a commission of inquiry into "Russia's crimes in Ukraine."

The following day, the Human Rights Council voted to set up an independent investigative commission on alleged human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine. Only Eritrea, along with Russia, voted against the resolution.

The council voted to investigate all alleged violations, human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes.
Of the 47-member council, 32 voted for the resolution and two – Russia and Eritrea – opposed it. China, also opposing the setting up of the investigation commission, abstained. China, Cuba, and Venezuela were among other abstaining countries.
Ukraine has accused Russia of bombing civilian targets since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24. The Russia-Ukraine war has forced more than 1.7 million people to flee their country, while Moscow's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, on Friday told journalists that it is a "special operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine."
Reporters Without Borders said on Sunday it has filed a war crimes complaint against Russia with the ICC for the bombing of television towers in Ukraine.
The head of the International Red Cross on Friday called on the parties to the Russia-Ukraine war to fulfill their legal obligations to avoid “further civilian suffering and loss of life.”
- Today, the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) is urgently reminding the parties to the conflict to fulfill their legal obligations to avoid further civilian suffering and loss of life - Peter Maurer, the ICRC president, said referring to the Geneva Conventions that apply to conflicts.

US Ambassador to BiH Murphy visits the City of Mostar

There are 206 Ukrainian refugees in Međugorje, mostly children

BiH Defense Minister Sifet Podžić visits National Military Academy of Qatar

Džaferović sends telegram of condolence over the death of Madeleine Albright

Radončić: Madeleine Albright had exceptional merits in the fight for the defense of Sarajevo and BiH, we lost a great friend

EU Delegation for "Avaz": An attack on journalists is an attack on core democratic values

State Department for "Avaz": USA designated Dodik for corruption and threats to the stability of BiH, his statements are inflammatory

Video / Radončić answered Dodik: His problem is not me and the journalists, we are not raising the indictments, but the prosecutors

Sattler visits refugees from Ukraine accommodated in Međugorje

Kavalec: We are looking forward to the elections in BiH in October

Radončić: Elections should be held

BiH Presidency with Nehammer: EU enlargement high on the agenda despite other challenges

See what the report of the Working Group on nepotism of Nedžad Hamzić and Lejla Vuković contains

Ambassador Hunn and CEC members on preparation and organization of general elections in BiH

Russia issues list of countries, considering their "unfriendly actions"

Int'l Court of Justice starts hearing "genocide allegations" against Russia

News

US Ambassador to BiH Murphy visits the City of Mostar

There are 206 Ukrainian refugees in Međugorje, mostly children

BiH Defense Minister Sifet Podžić visits National Military Academy of Qatar

Džaferović sends telegram of condolence over the death of Madeleine Albright

Radončić: Madeleine Albright had exceptional merits in the fight for the defense of Sarajevo and BiH, we lost a great friend

EU Delegation for "Avaz": An attack on journalists is an attack on core democratic values

State Department for "Avaz": USA designated Dodik for corruption and threats to the stability of BiH, his statements are inflammatory

Video / Radončić answered Dodik: His problem is not me and the journalists, we are not raising the indictments, but the prosecutors

Sattler visits refugees from Ukraine accommodated in Međugorje

Kavalec: We are looking forward to the elections in BiH in October

Radončić: Elections should be held

BiH Presidency with Nehammer: EU enlargement high on the agenda despite other challenges

See what the report of the Working Group on nepotism of Nedžad Hamzić and Lejla Vuković contains

Ambassador Hunn and CEC members on preparation and organization of general elections in BiH

Russia issues list of countries, considering their "unfriendly actions"

Int'l Court of Justice starts hearing "genocide allegations" against Russia